The court’s decision could change the way police tackle investigations across the nation and even at the local level.

Cellphone searches unreasonable?

The law says officers can seize and search anything within arm’s reach of a suspect when that person is arrested.

The Supreme Court, however, is weighing whether including cellphones in allowable, warrantless searches is a violation of the Fourth Amendment — which provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

“The main problem is that cells have gotten to hold so much more data,” said Ron Propst, crime scene specialist detective with Gaston County Police. “The bounds of information are limitless.”

With the popularity of smartphones, officers could potentially get information from your daily calendar, your personal emails, all of your contacts through text, social media and phone calls, as well as images or videos you made with the phone.

Historically, police have treated cellphones like wallets or address books. Found on someone at the time of an arrest, either are subject to a search.

But cellphone storage has far surpassed the amount of information a simple wallet could hold.

“A wallet may hold five or so photos, while a phone may hold as many as 500,” Propst said.

Attorneys arguing before the nation’s highest court insist the country’s founding fathers never intended to allow such extensive searches without a warrant.

Can local cops take your cell?

Gaston County and Gastonia Police say unless you’re actually arrested, they’re not going to take your phone without your consent.

With texting and driving charges, for example, the offense is a hard one to prove, said Donna Lahser spokesman for Gastonia Police Department.

And since in North Carolina the charge is not an offense warranting arrest, police say they cannot seize your phone.

In those cases, Capt. Bill Melton with Gaston County Police says officers treat a cellphone search as they would a search of the car. In other words, they are supposed to ask permission.

The same practice applies for Gastonia Police.

“We don’t just grab the phone to see if they were texting and driving,” Lahser said. “That is not our practice in infractions or misdemeanors.”

Driving while texting charges are few in Gaston.

Since Jan 1, 2013, county officers have issued one citation and two written warnings, while Gastonia police have issued two citations.

The court’s decision could change the way police tackle investigations across the nation and even at the local level.

Cellphone searches unreasonable?

The law says officers can seize and search anything within arm’s reach of a suspect when that person is arrested.

The Supreme Court, however, is weighing whether including cellphones in allowable, warrantless searches is a violation of the Fourth Amendment — which provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

“The main problem is that cells have gotten to hold so much more data,” said Ron Propst, crime scene specialist detective with Gaston County Police. “The bounds of information are limitless.”

With the popularity of smartphones, officers could potentially get information from your daily calendar, your personal emails, all of your contacts through text, social media and phone calls, as well as images or videos you made with the phone.

Historically, police have treated cellphones like wallets or address books. Found on someone at the time of an arrest, either are subject to a search.

But cellphone storage has far surpassed the amount of information a simple wallet could hold.

“A wallet may hold five or so photos, while a phone may hold as many as 500,” Propst said.

Attorneys arguing before the nation’s highest court insist the country’s founding fathers never intended to allow such extensive searches without a warrant.

Can local cops take your cell?

Gaston County and Gastonia Police say unless you’re actually arrested, they’re not going to take your phone without your consent.

With texting and driving charges, for example, the offense is a hard one to prove, said Donna Lahser spokesman for Gastonia Police Department.

And since in North Carolina the charge is not an offense warranting arrest, police say they cannot seize your phone.

In those cases, Capt. Bill Melton with Gaston County Police says officers treat a cellphone search as they would a search of the car. In other words, they are supposed to ask permission.

The same practice applies for Gastonia Police.

“We don’t just grab the phone to see if they were texting and driving,” Lahser said. “That is not our practice in infractions or misdemeanors.”

Driving while texting charges are few in Gaston.

Since Jan 1, 2013, county officers have issued one citation and two written warnings, while Gastonia police have issued two citations.